"Mom, I need to get a zipper binder and headphones." "Dad, my teacher said my pencil box isn't big enough. I need another one" "Mom, I have to have a zipper binder too." My head was spinning. It was only the first week of school, and on top of the lengthy list of supplies we'd… Continue reading What Our Children Need Most
Category: Christian Living
Remember, Remember
About 3 years ago, I was gifted a 1-year membership to audible.com. I have renewed my membership every year since because I discovered the joy of "reading" again. I could "read" (ok, listen!) while folding laundry, driving down the road, cooking dinner, or washing dishes. I got my kids hooked too. They LOVE audiobooks! One… Continue reading Remember, Remember
It’s okay to feel out of place
All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost; The old that is strong does not wither, Deep roots are not reached by the frost. J.R.R. Tolkien A few nights ago, as I struggled to get to sleep, I flipped to my Bible App and opened Psalm 90. Earlier in… Continue reading It’s okay to feel out of place
Surviving College… as a Christian
College has always been (and always will be) awash with challenges and temptations. Anyone who tells you otherwise is either blind or deceitful. High stress, binge drinking, drug abuse, mental fatigue, promiscuity, and financial inducements can lead a naive kid to destruction. Even if you put your nose to the grindstone and focus entirely on your studies, you may find yourself idolizing your career and forgetting God somewhere along the way. So how does one survive the testing ground of college?
Back-to-School time for Grandparents
So many families have no choice but to be dual-income. With the cost of living rising faster than wages and divorce rates elevated, many parents are unable to volunteer in their kids' classes. Some parents have to put their kids into after-school care with people they don't know all that well. Homeschool parents also get overwhelmed, particularly if they have children with developmental, physical or behavioral disorders. Grandparents, retired from full-time work, can play a valuable role in the lives of their grandchildren while providing some much needed help for their children.
Prayers for Parents of School-Aged Kids
As we press through August and into the fall, we will see frequent signs that school is back in session. Gradually, a few parents will develop a worry line or two. Homeschool moms may find themselves sobbing as perfect lesson plans implode in the face of another autistic episode. Another mom may be quietly sobbing in an empty room as their youngest child moves three or three hundred miles away from home in pursuit of a college degree. A dad may be getting stomach ulcers worrying about the safety of his daughter around all those teenage boys. On top of all the back-to-school changes, these parents are still facing life with all it's pressures and frustrations. Are we sensitive to their needs? Are we reaching out to be supportive? Encouraging? Helpful?
It’s Back to School Season!
August, in all it's heat, is back again. A nearly palpable sense of change is in the air, even if you are far removed from school and school-aged children. Parents push baskets full of school supplies, their faces creased with worry lines. Aisles teem with pencils, erasers, markers, and backpacks. Soon, the school bus will… Continue reading It’s Back to School Season!
When Your Life Isn’t “Pinterest-Perfect”
Share it. Like it. Post it. Pin it. “Wow! Look at that her newly-remodeled kitchen!” “Dude! Check out Jay’s awesome rig!” “Tim and Tammy are on vacation again! I wish I could go to Hawaii!” “I can’t believe he lost so much weight! How did he do that?” The moment we look up from these posts… Continue reading When Your Life Isn’t “Pinterest-Perfect”
Why You Need to Keep Both Hands on the Wheel
My biggest surprise in learning how to drive was how much I had to do to keep the car going straight. This might sound funny to you, but I didn't realize why it was necessary to keep your hands on the wheel while going in a straight line. I just thought people did that in case they need to turn or veer away from an obstacle. Go ahead. Laugh. It was a pretty ridiculous assumption.
The Meeting We All Desperately Need
Last week, I attended a webinar hosted by Michael Hyatt, the New York Times Bestselling Author, speaker, and blogger. I highly recommend his work, especially as he teaches from a Christian perspective. One of the action items from this webinar involved “making an appointment to write” and keeping it just as you would any other… Continue reading The Meeting We All Desperately Need
